Chairman Pai Statement on Eight Circuit Decision Upholding Core Actions on BDS

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement regarding Aug 28's ruling from the Eighth Circuit, which upheld the FCC’s decision to remove onerous regulations on certain business data services in competitive markets: "It’s a good day for forward-thinking regulation. Here’s why: Last year, based on a thorough analysis of a massive amount of data, the Commission adopted a ‘competitive market test’ to determine where regulation of business data services was still needed and where it would impede investment, innovation, and competition. I’m pleased that the Eighth Circuit upheld that test and the detariffing and deregulation of last-mile business data services that the test suggested. Indeed, the court recognized that the Commission had proposed ‘large scale deregulation’ and repeatedly affirmed the Commission’s policy judgments as reasonable. The court did identify a narrow procedural issue that the Commission needs to address, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to do just that as soon as possible."